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The York Rite of Freemasonry the York Rite

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The York Rite of Freemasonry the York Rite WHY YOU 4. KNIGHT TEMPLAR MASONRY A MASTER MASON Local Commanderies are governed by the Grand Commandery of each jurisdiction, and they in turn by the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the U.S.A. SHOULD BE In the Commandery, the Chivalric Orders of Christian Knighthood are conferred as follows: INTERESTED IN The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross The Order of Knight of Malta The Order of the Temple THE The Illustrious Order of the Red Cross is founded upon WHAT DOES YORK RITE MASONRY OFFER? Truth – a divine attribute, the foundation of every virtue. YORK RITE The noble heritage of York Masonry is yours to Knights of Malta. First called Knights Hospitallers of St. take. The regular meetings of the various grades OF John of Jerusalem are known to have been in existence as early as 1099 A.D. It was the first organized body are conducive to firmer relationships and a closer FREEMASONRY whose avowed purpose was the aid and care of those spirit of brotherly love. Being a York Rite Mason injured on a battlefield. The teaching of Christian does not mean you are elevated to a “higher rank’. applications of Masonic precepts begins with this Order. It is an educational tool to help you realize the Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man in your The Order of the Temple is the crowning glory of York own life. We trust the foregoing has increased your Rite Masonry. It is widely regarded as the most solemn interest in the York Rite. and impressive experience in Masonry. Here the aspirant progresses in the footsteps of Jesus of We invite you to claim this heritage. Nazareth. At the empty tomb grows a sprig of acacia, teaching that we shall dwell forever in the realms of life and light eternal. THE YORK RITE Freemasonry demands only a belief in a monotheistic God, where Hindu, Muslim, Jew and Gentile may CONSISTS OF FOUR together worship around its alters. The Christian Freemason alone has at his disposal a branch of the DISTINCT AND SEPARATE fraternity where he is free to interpret the teachings of the Symbolic Lodge according to his religious belief. The SOVEREIGN MASONIC BODIES: Masonic Orders of Christian Knighthood are the logical outcome of the Christian Mason’s belief in Christ as the The Symbolic Lodge Lion of the Tribe of Judah. That Mason believes Christ’s hand will raise the dead to life, and in His Holy Name the The Chapter of Royal Arch Masons True Word is found and restored at last. “In the The Council of Cryptic Masons beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, The Commandery of Knights Templar and the Word was God”. Entered Apprentice, the Fellowcraft, and the Master In the degree of the Royal Arch, the epitome of Masonic Mason, INCLUDING THE SUPREME ORDER OF THE symbolism is found. It has been said “the Royal Arch is HOLY ROYAL ARCH.” the root, heart and marrow of Masonry, without 1. SYMBOLIC MASONRY knowledge of which the Masonic character cannot be On the North American Continent, there are additional complete”. The symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, degrees in the system, supplementing the work of the Lodge, Chapter, and Council, and the Orders conferred in and Master Mason, as conferred in the United States, are The Royal Arch degree is the completion of the whole the Commandery have been arranged into a system or degrees of the York Rite. system of Freemasonry. Having begun regular Rite referred to as the American, Canadian, or York Rite advancement through the Symbolic Lodge, it is the duty of Freemasonry. It is American in structure, as it is a York Masonry is the oldest and best known of all Masonic of each Master Mason to complete the degree series. He democratic organization in which every member has a Rites. It takes its name from York, England, where the who has sought further Masonic education should return voice and a right to be heard. earliest known record of Masonry exists, dating from to the Symbolic Lodge, retrace his steps and advance about A.D. 923. Masonry’s first written record is centered through the Rite until he can receive the climax of around York, the seat of the Ancient York Grand Lodge. Masonic symbolism, as taught in the Royal Arch. In 1813, this Grand Lodge merged with another group called the Modern Grand Lodge, to form the United Only those who have attained the Royal Arch may be Grand Lodge of England. This is the basis upon which 2. ROYAL ARCH MASONRY said to have completed their Masonic Work. our present system of Symbolic Lodge Masonry is built. The various local Chapters operate under the jurisdiction You, as a Master Mason, have received the first three of the “Grand Chapter” of each state, which in turn is degrees of the York Rite. Having begun your Masonic governed by the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch work in the York Rite, it is natural that you should want to Masons International. The General Grand Chapter continue with it. constitutes the largest Masonic Body in the world. 3. CRYPTIC MASONRY According to Masonic legend, every man raised to the The Chapter confers four degrees (Capitular Degrees), giving a complete story of Masonic symbolism, in the sublime degree of a Master Mason received “substitute The Councils of Cryptic Masons operate under the following order: secrets”, as the “true secrets” were lost. It may prove a jurisdiction of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of surprise to the average man, believing his work is Mark Master Past Master (Virtual) each state and most Grand Councils operate under the completed, to be told that the secrets pertaining to the General Grand Council of the United States. They confer ceremony will not be given to him! This is unfortunate, Most Excellent Master Royal Arch the following three degrees: but the veil is lifted in the degree of the Royal Arch, and Royal Master in that degree only. Hence, no man actually becomes a Select Master The Mark Master degree is perhaps the oldest Masonic Master Mason until he is exalted to that holy order. Super Excellent Master degree, and is one of the most highly respected. It teaches practical lessons for everyday living. This Some would have the newly raised Master Mason believe Without the Royal and Select Master degrees, neither the degree supplements the Fellowcraft Degree. that he can receive the secrets and word in a degree Master Mason degree nor the Royal Arch degree is other than the Royal Arch. This is not true, historically or complete. These two degrees account for the The Past Master degree teaches the candidate the otherwise. The mother Grand Lodge of England was so concealment and preservation of the treasures revealed important duties and responsibilities of the Oriental Chair, emphatic regarding the necessity of the Royal Arch in the Royal Arch. degree that many years ago, it set forth this as Paragraph and is qualification for advancement. One (1) of its Laws and Regulations: The Super Excellent Master is an honorary degree, It is commonly known that the symbolism of Freemasonry qualifications for which are fulfilled by virtue of being in surrounds the building of the Temple. In symbolic Free- “By the solemn act of the union between the two Grand good standing in a Council. This degree is the most Masonry, the Temple is never completed. In the Most Lodges of Freemasons of England in December, 1813, it dramatic and spectacular of all Masonic systems. was declared and pronounced that Pure Ancient Masonry Excellent Master degree, we are taught the lessons of the consists of three degrees and no more, viz: those of the completion and dedication of the Temple..
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